The Post reckons another 150 people will be put on notice. This group will keep working, and getting paid, but will be told to start looking for new jobs.

The rumours, along with imminent financial results, are fuelling talk that a takeover is waiting to be signed.

The most likely buyer, says AllThingsDigital, is a group of private equity investors including Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick - who would be betting his personal account, not company money, on the deal.